Letter to the Editor: Wellness efforts misplaced


Letter to the Editor: Wellness efforts misplaced
Date 3/21/2002 12:00 AM | Topic: Letters to
the Editor
To the Editor:
The context in which images appear is extremely powerful.

For
example, the difference between pornography and art lies in
context. In the context of Playboy, the nude female stands for male
sexual pleasure; she is objectified and devalued. In the context of
Larry Kirkwood's exhibit, the nude female (and male as well) stands
for the intrinsic value of all bodies no matter what their size or
shape.
Last week's efforts to discuss body image here at Luther should
be commended.

It was wonderful to see so many people turn out to
hear Kitty Westin talk about eating disorders. It was wonderful to
see Mr. Kirkwood's art displayed in so many different places on
campus. But I have a problem with one aspect of Positive Body Image
Week, and my problem has to do with context.


During Positive Body Image Week, healthy snacks were provided
for students in both the Regents Center and in Jenson-Noble
Music Hall, consisting of
fruit and vegetables. As I was
happily crunching down my celery before choir on Wednesday, I
joked, "Gee, too bad I can't love my body with a cookie
instead." I thought it was amusing at the time, but after
pondering it further and discussing it in one of my classes, the
humor has gradually disappeared. If the Wellness Program had
offered us fruits and veggies during Heart Disease Awareness
Week, or something to that effect, I would have no problem with
it.

However, to do this in the context of Positive Body Image
week was a bad choice. It's sending a confusing message to
students to say on the one hand, "Love your body the way it is"
and alternately, "You'd better eat healthy, though." Many men
and women with eating disorders become obsessed with eating the
"right thing." How can we warn people about slipping into these
patterns, and then set up tables offering them not a variety of
foods, but only the "right thing?" Also, it doesn't help that
these snacks were served in the Regents Center, our
exercise facility.

We must keep
in mind that many people who suffer from eating disorders and
poor body image put an unhealthy emphasis on
exercise.
The Wellness Program had very good intentions in serving healthy
food to students, but it was a misplaced effort. At the very least,
some public statement or discussion should have occurred about
finding a balance between eating right to be healthy and obsessing
about food to control one's appearance. I thank the Wellness
Program for its efforts, but I caution it to consider context in
planning events in the future.


-Erin Appel ('02)
--
Paul Peterson
Staff Writer

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]



.